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The Supreme Court just revived Trump’s attempt to sabotage the 2026 election

The Supreme Court just revived Trump’s attempt to sabotage the 2026 election

The bizarre, but temporary, new voting rights decision, explained.
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California AG Rob Bonta Cancels Paramount Settlement Meeting, Citing Lack of Good Faith in WBD Merger Talks

California AG Rob Bonta Cancels Paramount Settlement Meeting, Citing Lack of Good Faith in WBD Merger Talks

California AG Rob Bonta Cancels Paramount Settlement Meeting, Citing Lack of Good Faith in WBD Merger Talks
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California AG Rob Bonta Cancels Paramount Settlement Meeting Citing 'Lack of Good Faith' in Merger Talks

California AG Rob Bonta Cancels Paramount Settlement Meeting Citing 'Lack of Good Faith' in Merger Talks

California AG Rob Bonta Cancels Paramount Settlement Meeting Citing 'Lack of Good Faith' in Merger Talks
Reuters Reuters
US Supreme Court lifts a judicial hurdle to Trump's mail-in ballot curbs

US Supreme Court lifts a judicial hurdle to Trump's mail-in ballot curbs

Aug 24 (Reuters) - The U.S.
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California Attorney General Cancels Paramount Merger Meeting Amidst Leak Allegations

California Attorney General Cancels Paramount Merger Meeting Amidst Leak Allegations

California Attorney General Cancels Paramount Merger Meeting Amidst Leak Allegations
USA Today USA Today
California cancels potential settlement talks with Paramount

California cancels potential settlement talks with Paramount

California's Attorney General canceled a Monday meeting with representatives from Paramount to discuss a potential settlement on an antitrust lawsuit.
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Justice Department's Election Monitoring Plan Raises Concerns Among State Officials

Justice Department's Election Monitoring Plan Raises Concerns Among State Officials

The Justice Department (DoJ) under President Trump has announced plans to deploy 1,000 election monitors for the upcoming November midterm elections, aiming for the largest monitoring effort in the department's history. This initiative has been met with skepticism from former officials and voting rights experts regarding its feasibility and potential impact. The DoJ has previously taken an adversarial stance, suing some states to access private voter data, leading to concerns among state election officials who feel the federal government is not a partner in protecting elections. President Trump has expressed a desire for federal control over elections, though courts have largely limited these efforts. While federal election monitoring is a routine practice, the scale and context of this announcement have caused unease. In past elections, monitors have generally been described as unobtrusive, with state officials in Minnesota, California, and Arizona reporting no major disruptions from federal monitors in r...
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California Governor Gavin Newsom Supports Settlement Talks in Paramount-Warner Bros. Antitrust Suit Amidst Studio Relocation Threat

California Governor Gavin Newsom Supports Settlement Talks in Paramount-Warner Bros. Antitrust Suit Amidst Studio Relocation Threat

California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly expressed his support for settlement talks in the antitrust lawsuit challenging the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. During a press appearance in San Francisco, Newsom referenced remarks by Attorney General Rob Bonta, who indicated a preference for resolving the matter outside of court. The Governor stated that discussions are actively underway to find a resolution. This comes after a report in The Wall Street Journal highlighted Newsom's concerns about the potential impact on California employment. Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison recently threatened to move one or two of Hollywood’s historic studios out of California if the antitrust suit is not resolved by October, a threat Newsom stated he is taking seriously. Newsom's stance aligns with that of Xavier Becerra, a Democratic candidate for California governor, and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, both of whom have called for the parties to find common ground.
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US Postal Service Advances Mail-in Voting Restrictions Despite Federal Court Injunctions

US Postal Service Advances Mail-in Voting Restrictions Despite Federal Court Injunctions

The US Postal Service (USPS) is proceeding with plans to publish a final rule that would impose new requirements on states regarding mail-in voting, despite two federal court injunctions currently blocking these changes. The rule, scheduled for publication in the Federal Register next week, acknowledges the existing injunctions from federal courts in California and Massachusetts. These changes stem from a March executive order signed by President Trump, which aims to restrict mail-in voting. The order mandates that states provide the federal government with voter information and adopt new balloting procedures. If states fail to comply, the USPS would refuse to deliver ballots. The federal government has also sued 30 states and Washington D.C. for not providing lists of eligible voters. The USPS is prepared to implement these new restrictions immediately if the court injunctions are lifted, stating that this would give election officials maximum time to comply before the next election.
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California Attorney General Bonta Faces Scrutiny for Lack of Transparency on Legal Losses and Settlements

California Attorney General Bonta Faces Scrutiny for Lack of Transparency on Legal Losses and Settlements

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is facing criticism for his office's lack of transparency regarding legal losses and settlements that cost the state millions of dollars. While Bonta frequently promotes his office's achievements, he rarely acknowledges setbacks or outright defeats in court. Instead, the state relies on "claims bills," legislation drafted by his office and often passed with minimal debate, to appropriate state funds to pay those who have won cases against the state or settled with it. The current claims bill, awaiting final approval, proposes to allocate $7.4 million to settle eight cases. Four of these cases successfully challenged California's gun control laws, including those related to concealed weapons permits and restrictions on marketing firearms-related products to youths, with winners arguing free speech violations.
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Aisha Wahab Wins Special Election to Complete Former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s Term

Aisha Wahab Wins Special Election to Complete Former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s Term

Progressive state Senator Aisha Wahab has won the special runoff election to complete the current term of former Representative Eric Swalwell in California's 14th Congressional District. Wahab, a Democrat from Hayward, defeated Melissa Hernandez, the president of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board and former mayor of Dublin. The Associated Press declared Wahab the winner on Thursday afternoon, following an update from Alameda County election officials that widened her lead to 53.1% against Hernandez's 46.9%. This victory makes Wahab the first Afghan American elected to Congress. Both Wahab and Hernandez will face each other again in the November 3 general election for a full term representing a slightly redrawn district in the East Bay.
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San Marcos City Elections Reshaped by Supervisor Race and Rep. Mike Levin's Challenge

San Marcos City Elections Reshaped by Supervisor Race and Rep. Mike Levin's Challenge

The political landscape of San Marcos, California, is undergoing significant changes due to several interconnected electoral developments. Mayor Rebecca Jones' decision to run for county Supervisor, rather than seeking re-election as mayor, has opened up the top city position. This has led to a competitive mayoral race between former City Councilmember Sharon Jenkins and current Deputy Mayor Mike Sannella. Furthermore, the challenge to Democratic Rep. Mike Levin by Supervisor Jim Desmond has created a ripple effect, influencing candidacies across three levels of local leadership, including two in San Marcos. The District 2 City Council seat, previously held by Sannella, is now also open, with Lindsey Smith and Justin Matsushita vying for the position. Campaign finance reports indicate early fundraising advantages for some candidates, setting the stage for a dynamic election season.